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Robshaw eyes a response

England flank Chris Robshaw wants his team to take their frustration out on the Springboks when they face off at Twickenham on Saturday.

England captain Chris Robshaw wants his team to take their frustration out on the Boks at Twickenham on Saturday.

The flank, whose spillage in the final play ended England’s hopes of a late win over New Zealand, is eyeing a response from his side this weekend.

England tackle the Boks in their second game this November as both nations look to recover from respective defeats – South Africa going down to Ireland. And Robshaw admits his charges are disappointed with how they let an early lead slip against the All Blacks as the rain began to fall.

“All the guys were frustrated because we started well but unfortunately in the second half we slipped off a bit and credit to New Zealand, they are an extremely experienced side and they kept the pressure on us,” he told Sky Sports News HQ.

“They kept us in our 22 and in our half. Especially as the conditions came down, they were smart and held onto the ball.

“We have an opportunity this weekend to go out and put it right against the second-best side in the world and it is extremely exciting. All the guys are excited and we have worked hard in certain areas to improve our game.”

He added on his decision to turn down three points and instead go for the corner: “We spoke about it on the pitch and thought we had a lot of dominance in those areas. We thought ‘in this half, being in their 22, are we actually going to get here again?’ whereas if we had a penalty around the halfway line, we would have backed our kickers to get it. All these things go through your mind at the time.

“You are looking at the rest of the pack and the rest of the team and judging the mood. I spoke to our front row and they were keen to go for it. When they are hungry for it, you generally listen and give them what they want. And fair play to them, they got us over. Not many teams get a penalty try against New Zealand.

“Both sides are definitely going to want to get that win. Every series or campaign, you are looking for that first win and when you don’t get it the pressure builds.”